Heroes of the Past: The East Devon Rockett

As youngsters, we all went to Colyton Grammar School, though Tony was older than me and was already playing for the school`s 1st X1 football and cricket teams.

I never played Cricket against him but I was always in awe of how he made everything look so easy. His natural timing with the bat gave the impression he put little effort into a stroke yet the ball sped to or cleared the boundary time and again.

He bowled, off a short, fluid eight-pace run up and with a flick of his wrist was consistently accurate, continually hit a nagging length and made the ball lift uncomfortably for the opposing batsman.

Tony played for Axminster CC in his early years then joined Kilmington. In 1982, his penultimate year at the club, Tony was still third in the batting and topped the bowling averages with 63 wickets at the cost of 10.62 runs each. His final year saw him involved in fewer games but still a creditable third. in the bowling averages. The Rockett name remained associated with Kilmington CC first through his son Keith and now his Grandsons Alex, James and Matt make sure there are no gaps in the scorebook.

During and after his Kilmington years, he was well known on most of the local golf courses where his inate timing and natural ability was again very apparent.

I did get the opportunity to play football against Tony in the school 'House' matches. He was a formidable half back, compact, quick and with a very powerful shot. He became a regular in the half back line at Sector Lane for a successful Axminster FC and was approached by several Football League Clubs.

I remember asking him many years later, why he never joined one of them? "Dick" he said "What was the point? I would have earnt £10 a week, travelled all over the Country and had no job to go to when it was all over?"

If you have any pictures or stories for Heroes of the Past, please send to tim.herbert@newsquest.co.uk